Bernstein, Johnson, Guy, McBride & Howell Named 2013 WIFTA Honorees

ATLANTA - Oct. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Women In Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA (http://www.wifta.org)), Georgia’s premiere organization dedicated to improving the status and portrayal of women in film, video, and other screen-media announced today the 2013 honorees of their Anniversary Gala Awards. Those to be honored include:

Industry Trailblazer Award – Melissa Bernstein and Mark Johnson, Breaking Bad & Rectify

Creative Excellence Award – Jasmine Guy, Vampire Diaries & A Different World

The Georgian Award – Maria Howell, Revolution

The Georgian Award – Melissa McBride, The Walking Dead

Outstanding Contribution, Organization Award – The Alliance Theatre

Outstanding Contribution, Individual Award – Jennifer Brett, Access Atlanta

The awards will be presented during the WIFTA Anniversary Gala and Awards Ceremony (http://www.wifta.org/gala), which is WIFTA’s primary fundraising vehicle. The proceeds of the Gala will enable WIFTA to continue to provide exceptional educational programming, networking opportunities and professional resources in support of women in film and television throughout the year.

In addition to the awards ceremony, the fundraising event will also include a screening of the video created via the WIFTA PSA & Mentorship Program, distribution of the WIFTA Tuition scholarship, dinner and a silent auction. Plus, WIFTA will also use the evening as a platform to showcase some of the talent from other entertainment industry disciplines. The night’s entertainment will include Neo-soul band Vintage Nation, country crooner Julie Gribble, the Georgia State University Faculty Jazz Trio, contemporary dance troupe Project 7 and the hilariously funny improv troupe Village Theatre.

The WIFTA 39th Annual Gala & Awards Ceremony, which is being sponsored in part by GWCC, Oz Magazine, Projections, Inc. Wolff Bros Post and CO3 Sound, will be held on October 20, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in the Thomas Murphy Ballroom (bldg B) starting at 7:30pm. GWCC is located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW Atlanta, GA. The event is open to the public. Tickets are on sale at www.WIFTA.org/Gala: $125 for WIFTA members / $165 for non-members.

About Melissa Bernstein and Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein are the Executive Producers behind two of the most talked about TV shows today--Breaking Bad and Rectify; both of which have been contenders for Emmy and other awards. The pair is gearing up for repeat success with their third show, which is shooting in Georgia: Halt & Catch Fire. While certainly notable for his television credits, Johnson is also the Producer / Executive Producer behind several unforgettable movies. The short list includes: Rain Man, The Notebook, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

About Jasmine Guy

Jasmine Guy danced her way into the heart of America with at the start of her career with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. While in New York, Guy starred on Broadway in original productions of Beehive and Leader of the Pack as well as reprised hit productions of Grease, The Wiz and Chicago. After years on Broadway and touring the globe, Jasmine landed the pivotal role of “Whitley Gilbert” on A Different World. She won six consecutive NAACP Image Awards for her portrayal of the pretentious but funny southern belle. Other television credits include: Melrose Place, NYPD Blue, Living Single and  Vampire Diaries.

About Melissa McBride

A veteran commercial, voice and television actress, Melissa McBride began her acting career shortly after college. She made her prime-time network television debut guest-starring on Matlock opposite the late Andy Griffith in a two-part special. Select additional credits include The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont; the festival award-winning films Lost Crossing, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys,  Dawson’s Creek, Walker Texas Ranger, Profiler and American Gothic. She currently play on AMC's The Walking Dead as Carol Peletier.


About Maria Howell

Maria Howell stars as Grace in NBC's Revolution. Howell is an actor, singer and voiceover artist. She is often remembered as the choir soloist from the movie The Color Purple but has certainly gone on to make her mark as an accomplished performer since then. As an actress, Howell has appeared in Daddy's Little Girls, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva, Vampire Diaries, Detroit 1-8-7, Necessary Roughness, The Blind Side and What to Expect When You're Expecting.

On the music front, Howell has shared the musical stage with legendary artists like Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles and Earl Klugh. Howell has released several CD recordings, with the most recent release titled "Reflections," a retrospective collection.

About Jennifer Brett

Jennifer Brett is an accomplished journalist that has been keeping Atlanta in-the-know about what’s happening in the Atlanta entertainment industry for years. She shares her “insider information” via her Access Atlanta column, appropriately named The Buzz. Brett, a unique journalist, is known for dividing her attention equally to covering the major Hollywood studio films that are shooting in or have ties to Georgia as well as the independent productions that are shot here.

About The Alliance Theatre

The Alliance Theatre has become the lead producing theatre in the Southeast, creating the powerful experience of shared theatre for diverse people. They not only produce world-class work on stage, they also have one of the most successful and respected acting education programs in the country. The Alliance Theater is a community of artists, administrators, and business and civic leaders devoted to theatre, arts, and arts education.  The people behind the Alliance Theatre include a dedicated staff, a generous volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Board, and countless artists and instructors working to put the best theatre in the world on stage every day.

About WIFTA

Women In Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA), a 501c-3 Georgia non-profit, is a member-based professional organization affiliated with other Women In Film chapters around the world. Since our inception in 1974, the Atlanta chapter has proudly had a membership community of multi-generational and culturally diverse professionals, which include producers, directors, actors, entertainment attorneys, camera and sound technicians, film editors, graphic design artists, make-up artists, wardrobe specialists, screenwriters, talent agents and casting directors. WIFTA is dedicated to improving the status and portrayal of women in film, television, video, and other screen based media by offering opportunities for media makers to connect, create, champion and inspire.